*Oborevwori Tasks Contractor On Speedy Rehabilitation Of Failed Benin-Asaba Highway
THE Delta State Government has vowed to build roads and bridges to link every community with the state capital, Asaba, as part of the efforts to develop the state.
Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, who stated this on Thursday, September 26,
during the commencement of the 2.7-kilometre Issele-Azagba-Otulu road construction in Aniocha North Local Council, said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was determined to develop all parts of the state in line with his administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda, urging the contractor to brace up with work and deliver on schedule.
“You will recall that few weeks ago, the Exco approved a number of roads across the three senatorial districts. After the approval, we proceeded to the process of awards and we got a number of contractors who bidded after the projects were advertised.
“This particular project, which links Issele-Azagba-Otulu to Ubulu-Okiti, was among the projects that was approved in the course of that Exco.
“It’s been awarded and we are here to examine the level of mobilisation and to formally hand over these projects to the different contractors.
“This particular project, comprising 2.7 kilometres and over three kilometres side drain, has been awarded to a contractor we considered capable and it will link up Aniocha North to Aniocha South in Delta North senatorial district.
“Once this road is completed, the people of Issele-Azagba may not go through the expressway again to get to their local government headquarters at Issele-Uku.
“I have extracted commitment from the contractor and from their work schedule, I am convinced that in no distant time, this project would be delivered. I am happy with the speed with which they have mobilised.”
The commissioner said the Oborevwori administration was mobilising contractors to ensure they work with the necessary speed to avoid price fluctuations in the economy, adding that the contractor was mobilised 30 per cent of the contract sum and are expected to deliver the project within 12 months.
He added: “I can assure you that the Governor’s desire in ensuring that our communities are developed is something he is taking very seriously and that is why he has approved mobilisation for a number of these contractors.”
Aniagwu also inspected the construction of Ichie James Obodoechi Avenue and Chikozie Okafor road, both in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Council.
Meanwhile, Oborevwori has tasked the contractor engaged by the Federal Government to rehabilitate failed portions of the Benin-Asaba highway to speed up work.
Oborevwori, who spoke through Aniagwu, said the plea became necessary following untold hardship the failure of sections of the highway had inflicted on motorists plying the route.
Addressing journalists at Ezenei junction in Asaba, the commissioner said the failed portions has been a source of concern to the governor and the state government, noting: “The governor has been very much disturbed about it and you may also recall that before now, he had asked me to come and see what we could do to make it motorable for our people.
“When we came, we discovered that the job was already under contract by the Federal Government and we discussed with the contractor and along the line, we couldn’t proceed.
“We have continued to mount pressure on the contractor, because it is not easy to come and take over something that has already been contracted to somebody else, more so when the project belongs to the Federal Government, which has already awarded the contract.
“But Oborevwori had continued to mount pressure on us to get the Federal Government contractor to proceed to site and we can announce to you that we have been able to talk to the contractor to leave other areas to come down here.
“He should have been here earlier than now, but we discovered that the materials he needed to effect the repairs were stuck along Auchi axis on account of bad roads; hence the trucks ferrying them could not proceed.
“We pleaded with him to take steps to source materials from other areas, and good enough, he was able to get other materials from Benin, while awaiting the other materials from Auchi.
“He has also explained that equipment would be deployed once he has enough materials to commence the job.”
Aniagwu appealled to motorists plying the road to be patient, while efforts were being made to fix the deplorable sections, noting: “We appeal to our people to bear with us; we couldn’t have jumped into this particular road when there is already a contractor ready to work, but having challenges because the materials got stuck elsewhere.
“We will continue to impress it on the contractor to apply more speed. Good enough, you saw the amount of trucks bringing in materials, with many others still on the way.
“We hope that by the time this portion of the road is completed, our people will be able to have easy access to the Eastern flank, because this is the major road to the Southeast.
“Secondly, it will safeguard our internal roads, because the ones diverting from this corridor to our internal roads will also be checked.
“Once this place is fixed, it will bring back the beauty of this area and we do hope that the contractor engaged will be able to quickly complete this road to save our people from the agony they are passing through navigating this portion of the road.”
Aniagwu was accompanied by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, and Functioning Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Solomon Aghagba, an engineer.
